GozoNews.Com

The Gozo Business Chamber has noticed with great surprise the recent announcement of a sea plane service between Grand Harbour in Malta and Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.

During the latest discussions that the GBC held with both the Prime Minister and the Minister for Gozo, just a few weeks ago, there was never any mention of such a service coming into operation, even though the chamber pressed the Prime Minister to do something concrete after the helicopter service was abandoned.

The Chamber has always made it clear that such a sea plane is of no service to Gozo and the Gozitans. No Gozitan or tourist coming to or leaving Gozo will ever make use of this service.

On more than one occasion the GBC has also pointed out to the authorities concerned that the port of Mgarr has become too congested with sea traffic entering and leaving the port. The addition of this seaplane now entering Mgarr Harbour will only add to the confusion and potentially increase the risk of a serious accident happening.

It is quite clear that the only interest of the company running this operation is only of a commercial basis and addressed mainly to the large number of cruise liner visitors visiting Malta who may be interested in having a look around the island from the air.

The Chamber will continue to press the authorities concerned to come out with a serious plan to address the real issue of air transport between the two islands and come up with either a helicopter or a fixed wing service from the Gozo Heliport to Gudja Airport. Only in this way can Gozo offer some compensation for the problems facing its inhabitants and at the same time try to attract more visitors to Gozo.